Oklahoma’s share of federal funding for low-income Home Energy Assistance was assured this week when Congress passed funding for the entire national program with a $20 million increase in funding from current levels.
It was the first funding increase the LIHEAP program has received since FY2024 and comes as affordability takes center stage in the national political conversation.
Oklahoma received $38,031,046for its LIHEAP program as of last fall, part of $3.6 billion for all states. Tribes in the state also shared in $42 million that included other tribes across the U.S.
The LIHEAP program is a federal block grant program that provides financial assistance to low and fixed-income individuals for fuel and utility bills, as well as low-cost weatherization and energy-related home repairs. Nearly 6 million households across the U.S. received assistance from LIHEAP in 2024, helping to lift 57,000 children and 78,000 seniors out of poverty according to the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition. Nearly 50,000 homes were weatherized using LIHEAP funds in 2024, making them safer and more energy efficient and helping to lower future energy bills.